Butler Defeats Youngstown State, 69-60

Center Joel Cornette scored a career-high 24 points and forward Duane Lightfoot added 18 to power visiting Butler past Youngstown State, 69-60, in a Horizon League game at the Beeghly Center on Saturday, Feb. 22. The win lifted Butler to 21-4 on the year and 11-2 in league play, while Youngstown State fell to 8-17 overall and 4-10 in conference action.

With Youngstown State pressuring Butler's three-point shooters, Cornette and Lightfoot took charge on the inside and proved to be the difference. Cornette, who also had four assists and three blocked shots in the game, hit 10 of 15 shots from the floor and four of seven from the free throw line. It was his first 20-point scoring performance since his sophomore season, when he tallied 20 points against UIC.

Lightfoot shot even better, hitting nine of 10 field goal attempts in the game. The Bulldogs shot a season-best .587 for the game.

"We had very good interior passing," said Butler coach Todd Lickliter.

"Joel is reading the defense so well - he's taking what they're giving him. He's very bright," added the Butler coach.

Cornette scored 18 points in the first half to help the Bulldogs to a 37-30 halftime advantage. Butler never trailed in the second half, though the host Penguins did cut the margin to six, 65-59, with 1:16 remaining. The Bulldogs secured the victory with a pair of free throws each from Darnell Archey and Mike Monserez in the final minute.

Butler, which had hit 22 three-point field goals in its previous two games, cashed just four of 14 three-point field goal attempts in the contest.

Archey, who drew praise from Lickliter for his defensive play, added 10 points to Butler's final total. Monserez led the Bulldogs with six rebounds and five assists.

The Bulldogs, who trail UW-Milwaukee by one-half game in the Horizon League regular season race, will continue their two-game road trip at Cleveland State on Monday, Feb. 24. The 7 p.m. contest will be Butler's third in five days.